LIVONIA, Mich. (April 6, 2009) - Jack Roush, Jr. is familiar with
racing Mustangs on the tricky 2.3-mile, 16-turn natural road course at
Barber Motorsports Park.
He has been there twice in the KONI Sports Car
Challenge Series, but never with the new Ford Mustang Challenge race
car. That will all change in a matter of days.
In fact, Roush has never even sat in a Mustang Challenge race car, but
he is ready to race one. He will be participating in his first series
event during the celebrations of the Mustang 45th Anniversary at the
racetrack just outside of Birmingham, Ala.
“This is going to be a busy weekend with the race and all the things
that are happening at the 45th Anniversary,” he said. ROUSH®
Performance will be exhibiting at the event, and for many attendees this
will be their first opportunity to see the new ROUSH 2010 Mustang, the
fifth generation pony car from the company his father founded.
“Barber (Motorsports Park) is not traditionally known as a ‘Mustang
track’ due to the very tight turns and short straights that don’t
allow the car to make use of its horsepower. But it is one of my
favorite tracks and I feel really good about the upcoming race. Last
July I finished third there in the KONI Challenge race and the Mustangs
swept the top-three positions in that event. So, I’m confident that we
can get these Mustang Challenge cars to turn and get around this track
pretty quickly as well.”
Despite having no experience in a Mustang Challenge car, Roush is
confident that he can get a feel for this car quickly.
“I may be a little naïve in my thinking, but I have to believe that
it should handle reasonably close to the same way that my KONI Challenge
Mustang does. Obviously I have a lot of experience in that car now and a
pretty good understanding of the way that it handles in the turns and
the right line for the fastest entry and exit. I’m hoping that after a
few laps the feel of the car should come to me so I can have a good
solid showing in the race,” he said, adding that he did spend time
behind the wheel of the Mustangs used by the school at Miller
Motorsports Park in Toole, Utah. Those cars are extremely similar to the
Mustang Challenge racers with minor variations.
Roush will be in the No. 00 Mustang Challenge car during the race on
Saturday, April 18. The green flag waves at noon (local time) for the
50-minute contest. Roush carries sponsorship from ROUSH Performance,
Valvoline and MossMuscle.com on his racing programs.
“I want to thank the Mustang Challenge Series for inviting me to
participate in this race and allowing me to use their media car. It is
an especially huge honor to be able to compete in the events that
celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Mustang and in front of all the
Mustang enthusiasts from all around the world,” he said.
The Mustang Challenge is one of the most competitive of the spec racing
series. Roush will have to face several talented drivers including Jim
Click, Mike McGovern and the inaugural series champion Andrew Caddell.
For series information, visit www.MustangChallenge.com.
Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes
place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes
on at ROUSH and how the vehicles are designed, manufactured and produced
logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and
F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of
performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information
see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone
toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.